A wire race bearing is a four point angular contact ball bearing. It consists of four wires which are formed into a circle to fit a housing groove machined into the inner and outer diameters of the relatively stationary and rotating parts. Into each of the wires is produced an accurately profiled groove which provides the bearing track upon which the balls run. 

These balls are separated by a continuous cage band and thus the load is evenly carried. This cage band prevents any friction between the balls and aids lubrication. As it is the bearing elements that carry the load the role of the housing is merely to to hold the bearing assembly together. That is the choice of housing material does not affect the strength of the bearing. The housing can be made from steel, cast iron or aluminium alloys. The wire races are made from silicon chrome hardened and tempered wire with a minimum sectional hardness of 52 HRC. 

The wires are supplied with a an accurate gap to allow for differential expansion (between the wires and the housings) over a wide temperature range typically 240 - 390 K. Owing to this gap the wires fit the housing exactly which eliminates machine tolerances. 

Wire race bearings can be used in many diverse applications, some of which are shown below: 

© Robotic Arm 
© Military applications 
© Rotary tables & indexing bases 
© Fork lift trucks 
© Circular knitting machine 
© Carding & yarn preparation machinery 

SOCARE® wire race bearings have many advantages over conventional bearings, theseare: 

- Slim section housings with no reduction in the load-bearing capacity 

- Consistent rotational torque through large temperature range 

- Small cross section enables location directly beneath the applied load, ensuring rigidity and minimum deflection. 

- Centres of machines can be kept open and eliminates the necessity for heavy centre post designs. 

- Good weight savings over conventional bearings 

- Simplifies the passage of co-axial drives or contact and electrical / fluid supplies through the centre of rotating machinery. 

- The small volume occupied by the bearing ensures that it is easy to enclose, to retain lubricant and to keep air contaminates. A range of seals are available if required. 

- Bearing will normally outlast the equipment in which it is installed and require little maintenance. 

- In most cases a single bearing can be used where conventional practice would demand at least two separate bearings. For special applications, an alternative double wire race system is available which still only uses one set of wires and one adjustment. 

- High running accuracy with low friction and starting torque. 

- Complete design flexibility, high performance and cost savings from shorter assembly times and reduced housing material costs. 

- Precision for large diameter bearings.

PCD Range	X	D	d	T	H	S
100-400	9.2	6.35	3	7.8	9	1.6
200-400	10.00	8	3	12	12	2
200-400	10.60	9	3	11.5	11.6	2
150-2000	12.00	8	4	12	12	2
150-2000	12.86	9.525	4	24	12.6	3
150-2000	12.95	9.525	4	24	12.6	3
200-2000	14.10	12	4	15	15	2.5
200-2000	14.61	12	4	15	15	2.5
400-2000	15.10	12.70	5	16	22	3.5
400-2000	15.58	12	5	15	15	2.5
400-2000	18.40	12	5	15	15	2.5
400-2000	19.00	16	5	20	20	3.5
500-1100	22.60	20	6	25	24.2	3.5